Jo Malone

Have you heard of this amazing-ness?? It's a fabulous collection of various scents you can wear alone or mix and match. The scents are mostly unisex, and all go together. There isn't any combination that wouldn't "go."

I'm embarrassed to say, but I'm thinking about starting up my own "fund" to obtain 3 or 4 or 6 of these bottles. I made fun of Dustin for creating his "Gun Fund" (A jar with a picture of some expensive, masculine, scary-looking gun he wants) ... but after the trip to Utah I'm thoroughly obsessed.

http://www.jomalone.com/

I want the following:

Lime Basil and Mandarin
Nectarine Blossom and Honey
White Jasmin and Mint
Amber and Lavender
154
Black Vetyver Cafe

"We're really doing it, buddy!"

It's true, we packed up our family and went down to Utah for Saturday and Sunday. We stayed at the awe-inspiring Hyatt Hotel in SLC. Lillie loved sleeping in her very own Queen bed.
Saturday night, after picking up good ol' Eric Harker, we all drove down to Orem to see Michael Holt in his show called "Dirty Rotten Scoudrels." Let's be honest, I was a little skeptical at first if I was going to like it, but after about 15 minutes I couldn't stop laughing. Dustin and I were almost in tears! Singing was outstanding, acting was decent, and Michael did a good job. Thanks for the tickets, Michael. We also went to an amazing pizza place called 712. Wasn't disappointed.
Dustin and Eric helped me pick out a new perfume. I've been in the market since January. Dustin found his Jean Paul Goutier, and I found my Chloe. I almost picked up another awesome perfume called Flower Bomb... but after going back and forth, I'm confident I chose the right one. It was a big decision, and I couldn't have done it without those two (and the 2, slightly pushy sales ladies).

Sunday morning we woke up and headed off to Magna to see our old friends at church. It was nice catching up on everything that's been going on and see all the new babies that have been born in the year we've been gone. We picked up some lunch, then headed over to Temple Square. It was a really nice day. Lillie loved running around in the mid-50's sunny weather. It was a great weekend.

People that Change Your Life

I've been thinking about the people that stick out in my mind who have impacted my life. Everyone has their own list of those meaningful people. Some of the people on my list I was never really close with, but being around them made a very positive impact on me.
(by the way, this list is on NO particular order)

1. Laurel Merz. One of the happiest, enjoyable people to be around. She has faith in everyone and is accepting of everyone. She's everybody's instant best friend, and is probably on everybody's "list" of most influential people in their life.

2. Summer. The boldest, kindest Relief Society President I've ever had. She was only 28 or so, but was a full-time firefighter until she had her baby girl (who was born the same day as our Lillie). She never hesitated to bear her testimony. Every time she did the spirit was so strong and brought me to tears. She always looked out for me that first, difficult year we were in Las Vegas.

3. Jen Hirschi. A forever friend. A person I have a strong connection with and who I look up to more than she'll ever know.

4. Randi Nordstrom (Alexander, now). My hero for many reasons. She was contagiously happy and hilarious. She always had a positive, optimistic attitude and taught me that my attitude was a choice, not a consequence. She also bluntly said to me after I was throwing a teen-aged tantrum about not being asked to prom, "Maybe you need to be humble." I think about it all the time!

5. Dana. The most giving, considerate person I've ever known. She always puts herself last and gives everything she has and can to everyone. She's one of my best friends, and is a 2nd mother to me. If I could choose to be like anyone, it would be her.

6. My husband. I married a perfect guy. He's very courageous and humble. He's very honest and open and does what's not popular. He never says no when he's asked to serve in any capacity, and always gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. He admits when he's wrong, and forgives me when I'm wrong. He's very supportive of me and my dreams, and earnestly tries to be better every day of his life. We've never been in any fights because he's so patient and kind towards me. He helps me to be better.

7. Kandis Broadhead. A very loyal friend. She's outgoing, hilarious, and giving. I remember coming home and finding delicious, homemade brownies on our front step, and her also bringing us a meal at a trying time. She rescued me when I found out we needed to take Lillie to Primary's (when she had RSV) and would send hilarious text messages at just the right time ("I am your brother, your best friend forever..."). Her and Dave befriended us when we were new in the ward. Her personality is so vibrant. She's a friend anyone would be blessed to have.

There are probably more people on this list, these are just a few who stick out in my mind tonight. I love all of these people. They've all taught me so much just by their example.

Thankgoodness it's Sunday!

I've been in a serious bad mood this week. Not necessarily grumpy, but just really stressed and emotional... and NO... not because of you-know-what.
I figured out why. Not only am I stressed-beyond-stressed about Dustin finding work, being really really sad about Jack still not having his crib set up (weird that I'm so upset about that one), or exhausted from these crazy "Insanity" workouts Dust and I have been doing 6 nights a week... I had a bad week, I think, because I missed church last Sunday.
Lillie had a cold and fever, and Sunday morning after everyone was all dolled up and ready to go Dustin and I realized that Lillie probably should not go to nursery. I stayed home with her and I've been in a funk all week. I decided that as much as I complain about the stress of Sacrament Meeting with a 2 year old that likes to color on the Hymn books and a 5 month old baby that seems to always spit-up on me right after we sit down, and a chorister that thinks 120 beats per minute is actually 60 beats per minute... I need it.

"Our fireman are not heroic."

First of all, this is not a quote by me!

I was in a small discussion with a person who has a strong opinion about how fireman, police officers, and even those in the military fighting in wars are NOT to be considered heroes. This person said that the only heroes are those who aren't being paid. They said they were "sick and tired of all the media giving credit and honoring" those who are being paid to rescue lives.
They then went on to comment that lifeguards save more lives than any other rescue force.

Hmm.... I definitely know what my opinion is on the subject... but what's yours? How would you react or respond?

Darned pictures

Note to self: Don't wait a flipping 4 years to print out pictures.

I've been going through albums on our computer for hours on end the past few weeks picking which ones to print out. They go all the way back to March of 2006. Holy cow. After many hours, and a pretty penny... all 630 pictures have now been placed into 2 beautiful family photo albums (another steal at Costco).

I'm engaged, friends!

It was almost 3 years ago in Hawaii when I lost my wedding ring. Dustin and I were boogie boarding at a nice beach in Kaua'i when I looked down a few hours later and noticed that I was only wearing my wedding band. My engagement ring was totally gone. I was devestated. I've always felt so guilty about losing it. I had the feeling over and over and over to not bring my ring on the trip but I was obsessed with that darned ring, so I immediatly brushed the thought away. I brought it anyway, then lost it on some white sandy beach.

Dustin's always been nice about the whole situation. I would have thought he'd be mad, or atleast a tiny bit upset. I've told him over and over to not get me another one because I don't feel like I deserve it. There are better things we could spend the money on, and I atleast still had my little wedding band. I don't need a big diamond to know I'm married... plus, it's not like it's coming with me to heaven!

Well, apparently Dustin's been saving up for this for quite a while. I walked into our bedroom and found a note and a little black box on my pillow.

I love the 2 floating diamonds.
I love him so much. He spoils me. Here my husband is now selling plasma (again) to save up for some fancy-shmancy gun he's wanted forever, and instead of buying that with this money, he spends the money on another beautiful ring for me.
I cried. I love it.

The Wedding

Here's a picture of our family at my sister Tera's wedding. The wedding was in gorgeous Ashland, Oregon (about 10 miles from the California border on I5). It was in the 60's and was beautiful. Tera looked beautiful and happy. Jeff and her seem to be a great fit for each other.

We put 3,200 miles on our car in just 9 days. I love our car. Our 2000 Honda Accord now has 162k miles and is going strong. That car took us to Widby Island, Ashland, Oregon, and Yakima. We had the best time visiting with friends and family. We also ate at Burgerville and Chevy's, had gelato, went to the Portland Children's Museum, Jantzen Beach to ride the carousel, went bowling, got a lb of Sees, and did lots and lots and LOTS of shopping. Dustin's favorite part was probably going to Cabela's. He even treated himself to an orange hat as a souvenir. Lillie and Jack did pretty well. Aside from a few tantrums from Lillie (lack of naps), the trip went almost perfectly.

We're semi glad to be back here in Idaho. Well... let's be honest. I'm not that happy! I hated driving back and watching the terrain get yellower and browner, then colder and colder...
It was so nice wearing t-shirts and bermudas, sandals, and open-toed shoes. We brought our coats but never put them on even once. Even when it rained on Thursday it was still so in the 50's and beautiful! Washington and Oregon have tulips, pink cherry trees in full blossom, daffodils, green grass everywhere, and perfect spring temperatures. I went running and LOVED it. My lungs didn't burn and it felt good.

So... I'm ticked. Idaho has at least a month or two until Spring comes. Until then, I guess I'll put back all of our new bright spring and summer clothes and keep wearing my sweaters and boots.

Disclaimer: Idaho isn't that bad. We do love being close to our families, and the snow is fun. No offense devoted Idahoans.